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Vol. 23, No. 1
(Spring 2012)
DFIRMS and Maps: What Does the
Digital Transition Mean?
Gavin Brady, OWRB
State Floodplain Coordinator
Oklahoma communities that have had new or updated FIRM
maps issued in the past few years may have noticed the number
of paper maps distributed to them has decreased considerably. The transition to
all digital products is in full swing, leaving many wondering how participating
communities can work through the digital transition and continue to implement
the NFIP policies effectively.
To provide some background on this digital transition, here is an excerpt from
“Paper-to-Digital Flood Hazard Information” from FEMA’s website:
Beginning with flood maps distributed on or after October 1, 2009, FEMA will
provide a single paper map and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) to each mapped
community and will convert all other distribution of maps and FIS reports to
digital delivery. FEMA will continue to provide free digital map products and
data to Federal, State, Tribal, and local National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) stakeholders. Since
Flood Map Modernization (Map Mod) began in 2003, FEMA has achieved a 50-75% reduction in the
number of flood maps distributed in paper form. A key goal of Map Mod has been to convert the NFIP
paper map inventory to digital products and to replace the distribution of paper maps with digital
delivery via the Internet.
As the state coordinating agency, the OWRB is taking an active role in developing short- and long-term
strategies to educate floodplain administrators and provide resources to communities to help with the digital
transition. There is a sense of urgency on my part to help establish that base of knowledge and to promote
the incorporation of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology into all floodplain management plans
and practices.
One of the short-term strategies was the development of the online floodplain viewer, now accessible
through the “Floodplain Management” page of the OWRB website. This Geographic Information System
data viewer can be used to locate the Special Flood Hazard Areas throughout the state utilizing FEMA data.
In the upcoming months, the online viewer will be expanded to provide access to multiple levels of users.
A goal for the following year is to re-publish the digital data, which will make importing and viewing faster
for new users. We are also exploring the possibility of offering GIS classes to the state’s floodplain managers
through the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association (OFMA), which has an educational mission of
helping to advance Oklahoma toward the digital transition.
4 How to Request a Letter
of Map Amendment or
Letter of Map Revision
Based on Fill
4 Chat with Map Specialists
via FEMA’s Online Real-time
Forum
4 Matt Rollins Joins OWRB
Floodplain Management
Team
4 Map showing Oklahoma
Statewide NFIP
Communities 2012

Vol. 23, No. 1
(Spring 2012)
DFIRMS and Maps: What Does the
Digital Transition Mean?
Gavin Brady, OWRB
State Floodplain Coordinator
Oklahoma communities that have had new or updated FIRM
maps issued in the past few years may have noticed the number
of paper maps distributed to them has decreased considerably. The transition to
all digital products is in full swing, leaving many wondering how participating
communities can work through the digital transition and continue to implement
the NFIP policies effectively.
To provide some background on this digital transition, here is an excerpt from
“Paper-to-Digital Flood Hazard Information” from FEMA’s website:
Beginning with flood maps distributed on or after October 1, 2009, FEMA will
provide a single paper map and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) to each mapped
community and will convert all other distribution of maps and FIS reports to
digital delivery. FEMA will continue to provide free digital map products and
data to Federal, State, Tribal, and local National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) stakeholders. Since
Flood Map Modernization (Map Mod) began in 2003, FEMA has achieved a 50-75% reduction in the
number of flood maps distributed in paper form. A key goal of Map Mod has been to convert the NFIP
paper map inventory to digital products and to replace the distribution of paper maps with digital
delivery via the Internet.
As the state coordinating agency, the OWRB is taking an active role in developing short- and long-term
strategies to educate floodplain administrators and provide resources to communities to help with the digital
transition. There is a sense of urgency on my part to help establish that base of knowledge and to promote
the incorporation of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology into all floodplain management plans
and practices.
One of the short-term strategies was the development of the online floodplain viewer, now accessible
through the “Floodplain Management” page of the OWRB website. This Geographic Information System
data viewer can be used to locate the Special Flood Hazard Areas throughout the state utilizing FEMA data.
In the upcoming months, the online viewer will be expanded to provide access to multiple levels of users.
A goal for the following year is to re-publish the digital data, which will make importing and viewing faster
for new users. We are also exploring the possibility of offering GIS classes to the state’s floodplain managers
through the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association (OFMA), which has an educational mission of
helping to advance Oklahoma toward the digital transition.
4 How to Request a Letter
of Map Amendment or
Letter of Map Revision
Based on Fill
4 Chat with Map Specialists
via FEMA’s Online Real-time
Forum
4 Matt Rollins Joins OWRB
Floodplain Management
Team
4 Map showing Oklahoma
Statewide NFIP
Communities 2012